Flowerpot Fruitcake Recipes

Steps:

• Combine the raisins, currants, apricots, figs, prunes, dates, walnuts, pecans, orange zest, lemon zest, candied ginger, pumpkin pie spice and cloves in a large bowl and toss to combine. Add 1 cup of the brandy, orange liqueur and molasses and stir to coat. Cover and set aside to macerate overnight. (Alternatively, cover the bowl and microwave 2 minutes, or until very hot. Leave covered and let sit until almost all the liquid has been absorbed into the fruit and nuts, about 2 hours.)
• Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F. Spray two 9-by-5-inch loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray and line each with 2 pieces of parchment, one lengthwise and one crosswise, leaving a 2-inch overhang on each side. Spray the parchment with cooking spray.
• Sprinkle 1/2 cup flour over the soaked fruit mixture and toss to coat. Whisk together the remaining 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.
• Cream the butter and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium-high until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Add the eggs, one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla. Reduce the speed to medium-low and beat in the flour mixture until the batter is blended and smooth. Pour the batter over the fruit mixture and fold with a rubber spatula until all the fruit is coated in batter.
• Divide the mixture evenly between the two prepared pans, filling each about 3/4 full. Bake until the cakes begin to pull away from the sides of the pans, the tops spring back slightly when pressed and a cake tester comes out clean, about 1 1/2 hours. Transfer to a wire rack and brush with the remaining 2 tablespoons brandy. Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 15 minutes. Carefully remove each cake from its pan using the parchment overhang and place on the rack to cool completely.
• To store, wrap each loaf tightly in plastic and then foil. The wrapped fruitcakes can be stored in a cool, dry place for up to 3 months.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 6-inch-round and an 8-inch-round cake pan with parchment paper; coat with cooking spray. Prepare the cake mix as directed; divide between the pans and bake 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool.
• Level the tops of the cakes with a serrated knife (save the trimmings). Halve the cakes horizontally. Working on a cake board or plate, stack the 8-inch layers, then the 6-inch layers, frosting between each layer.
• Hold a serrated knife at an angle and trim the edges of the layer cake all the way around to make an upside-down pot shape. Cover the cake with all but 1/2 cup of the remaining frosting; freeze 30 minutes.
• Sprinkle 3 tablespoons cocoa powder on a sheet of parchment; put the fondant on top, make a small well in the middle and put the food coloring in the well. Knead until the color is even.
• Dust a surface with cocoa powder; roll out the colored fondant into a 24-by-6 1/2-inch rectangle, trimming the edges to make them straight. Cut off a 24-by-1 1/4-inch strip of fondant; set aside.
• Wrap the wide piece of fondant around the cake, pressing and smoothing it with your fingers. Trim the excess with a paring knife.
• Reroll the fondant scraps and cut out a 5-inch circle; press the fondant circle on top of the cake to form the pot bottom. Invert the cake onto a board. Lightly brush the thin strip of fondant with water; attach to the top edge of the cake, allowing the strip to come slightly above the edge. Trim the ends.
• Cover the top of the cake with the remaining 1/2 cup frosting, then crumble the cake trimmings on top.
• When ready to serve, stick mint sprigs and edible flowers into the cake.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush inside of each flowerpot with oil, and line bottom with parchment paper round. Brush parchment with oil, and lightly dust with cocoa.
• Sift cocoa, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add egg and yolk, 3/4 cup warm water, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla; mix on low speed until smooth, about 1 minute.
• Divide batter among prepared pots, filling each about two-thirds full. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet. Bake, rotating sheet about halfway through, until a cake tester inserted into centers comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Let cakes cool completely in the flowerpots on a wire rack.
• Frost cakes with an offset spatula; sprinkle with crushed cookies. Top with candies; "plant" 1 mint sprig in each cake.